1

Recommended position for installation and its reason upon being inquired about installing the cushion buffer on the front or rear wheels only

It is improper that you install the cushion buffer only on the front or rear wheels due to the characteristics of the cushion buffer. When you install the cushion buffer in both front and rear wheels, then you can experience its full functionality and performance. Sometimes, some customers want to install it only on the rear wheels because their vehicles are natural gas vehicles, have been installed with audio equipment in the trunk, or RV with a heavy load-capacity. In such cases, those vehicles may have two cushion buffers on the rear wheels. However, if the cushion buffer is only installed in the front or rear wheels, it is difficult to have an effective absorption effect when the vehicle makes a sharp turn, passes over a speed bump, or drives on a bumpy road. Our recommendation of the installation position is the middle of the shock absorber spring. The gap in the top or bottom of the spring is smaller than in the middle. Therefore, if you install the cushion buffer in either location, the life span of the cushion buffer will be shortened.

2

When both ends of the cushion buffer meet each other

If the diameter of the coil spring is small, both ends of cushion buffer may touch each other. In such case, make them not to do so by cutting the both ends a little bit; then, install the cushion buffer. For Musso and New SM 5 or 7, if you want to install a cushion buffer in the rear wheel, you should use type B+ (not type B). If the both edges touch each other, the cushion buffer may get dismounted from the spring.

3

Advantages and disadvantages of installing two cushion buffers in one spring

You may install two cushion buffers in one spring when the spring is long enough to have two cushion buffers. Type S and type A spring do not have enough space to have two cushion buffers in most cases. However, type D, E, and F spring may be able to have two cushion buffers installed in most cases. In these cases, if the size of cushion buffer is small, you may have a better shock absorbing effect. Yet, if the front of the vehicle looks higher than the rear after installing two cushion buffers in each front wheel, you should install one cushion buffer for safety.

4

When the spring is not shown externally

If the shock absorber spring is located on the front wheel, you can see it from the upper part of the wheel. Also, the same way applies if the absorber is installed on the rear wheel. However, some vehicles and most of the new vehicle models (since June, 2005) have the shock absorber spring installed behind the rear wheel. In this case, you can find it by looking down from the trunk or muffler side. For this type of vehicle, you should install the cushion buffer from the muffler side after hoisting the vehicle with a vehicle jack. If you are unable to install it, please visit near auto part & supply store or auto shop.

5

The reason why the cushion buffer does not cover the coil spring completely

As the shock absorber contracts upwards / downwards, the cushion buffer also contracts / stretches a little bit. At this time, there may be some space between the groove and the spring. That is why the cushion buffer does not completely cover the coil spring sometimes. There is a case that the cushion buffer covers the coil spring completely, but it is not always so. Yet, if the cushion buffer covers at least 2/3 of the coil spring, it is expected to provide the complete effects of the cushion buffer.

6

Notice for electronic or air shock absorber users installing the cushion buffer

An electronic shock absorber has a function to auto/manually adjust the height of vehicle body by hydraulic pressure depending on the acceleration of the vehicle and an impact exerted on the vehicle body. If the spring does not get flexible at all after hoisting the vehicle equipped with an electronic shock absorber with a vehicle jack or lift, the cushion buffer should be installed after removing the wheels. Thus, we recommend using a large vehicle lift in an auto repair shop instead of a small vehicle jack. The cushion buffer is to be installed in a shock absorber spring, so it will not overburden a hydraulic shock absorber that changes its applying weight. In some cases, there could be a little bounce effect when the hydraulic absorber receives a normal hydraulic pressure; however, it will not damage the driving condition. An air shock absorber, many of which can be found among tuned shock absorbers, can have the same effect as the electronic shock absorber. Yet, in some cases, the driver is allowed to adjust its setting, so it is recommended that the driver reset the air shock absorber's setting after installing the cushion buffer.

7

Notice for down-spring users installing the cushion buffer

A down-spring is used as one of tuning methods to lessen the air resistance at a high speed driving by lowering the vehicle body. Even though the cushion buffer is installed, the height of the vehicle body does not increase drastically. An increased height of the vehicle after being installed with a cushion buffer indicates that the cushion buffer tries to compensate for the old shock absorber's weak tension. As long as a cushion buffer that properly fits the tuned spring has been installed, it will not cause the vehicle to have an unreservedly increased height, which leads to a safe installation and an effective use of the cushion buffer in result.

8

Feasibility on cushion buffer installation for a vehicle that had its springs changed

Either a vehicle had its springs changed or not, the cushion buffer can be installed as long as the vehicle has its shock absorber springs. If the vehicle had its springs replaced with genuine springs, find and install a cushion buffer that matches with the spring on the standard chart. If the vehicle had its springs replaced with regular tuned springs (up/down-spring), place the vehicle on a flat ground and measure the gap in the shock absorber springs where a cushion buffer should be installed, using a regular ruler or the cushion buffer measuring ruler. Then, find the proper type of cushion buffer and install it. Some tuned springs (nominally up/down springs) have different gaps in the springs. In such case, please carefully check the exact installation position and measure the size.

9

The reason why you should not measure the gap in the springs while having the vehicle hoisted up by a lift

It is not correct to measure the gap in the springs while having the vehicle hoisted up by a lift. The cushion buffer is to be functioning while the vehicle is placed on the ground. As the vehicle is hoisted up, its shock absorber springs extend. Thus, the size measured in such case is not correct to find a proper cushion buffer. If an improper cushion buffer is installed and used in a vehicle, it may affect its functionality and life span.

10

The reason why a leaning phenomenon lessens on a curve after installing the cushion buffer

There are many drivers who install a strut bar under the vehicle's hood in an attempt to prevent a leaning phenomenon on a sharp curve. The strut bar prevents the vehicle's center of gravity from shifting and allows the outer shock absorber springs to control the contraction rate. In the same way, the cushion buffer controls the leaning phenomenon of the vehicle driving on a corner by preventing its shock absorber springs from being compressed excessively. Incidentally, there are two separate types of strut bars for each front and rear side of vehicle. Upon driving on a corner, the vehicle's center of gravity shifts outwards. Thus, if the strut bar is installed only in the front side of the vehicle, it will not be able to control the leaning phenomenon completely. (The strut bar is to be mounted in the front - under the vehicle's hood and in the rear side of a vehicle - in the trunk) Plus, one of the disadvantages of having the strut bars installed in the trunk is that the driver cannot use some portion of the trunk. Yet, the cushion buffer can function as the strut bar in a vehicle as well, and it is also superior in terms of its price and utilization.

11

The life span of cushion buffer

Urethane cushion buffer is semi-permanent and can be used until the vehicle goes out of service. The urethane cushion buffer's life span can easily be understood once we get to know about the characteristics of urethane. Similar products or imitations are made of synthetic rubber; whereas, the urethane cushion buffer is made of 100% pure and resilient urethane which is also used in Nike Air.

12

The cushion buffer mounting location

Except some vehicles, it is best to have all 4 cushion buffers installed in a vehicle for the maximum performance, and the center of shock absorber spring is the most desirable mounting position for the cushion buffer. However, if the cushion buffer mounting location touches the inner wall of the vehicle body, the cushion buffer should be mounted on a location where it would not touch any part of the wall. Also, if each gap in the top, middle, and bottom of the shock absorber spring is different, the cushion buffer should be mounted on the middle of the shock absorber spring.

13

Reasons that would force an installed cushion buffer to get dismounted

It can be narrowed down to two main reasons. The first reason is an inappropriate installation. (1) An unfitting cushion buffer has been installed. (2) The groove of cushion buffer and the shock absorber spring do not fit completely. In the case of (1), it may seem to get more effect from the cushion buffer, yet it can shorten the cushion buffer's life span. In the case of (2), there is a low possibility of getting the cushion buffer dismounted by accident, yet the cushion buffer may not be able to perform at its best. Both case (1) and (2) are due to an inappropriate installation of the cushion buffer. The second reason can be found from using a vehicle lift. When a vehicle installed with the cushion buffer is hoisted by a jack or lift at a place such as an auto shop, the shock absorber spring can be extended loosely and cause the cushion buffer to get dismounted (even if the cushion buffer was properly installed initially). In such case, lower the vehicle slowly and make sure that the cushion buffers are properly positioned in the shock absorber springs after placing the vehicle on the ground. If you drive a vehicle that has its cushion buffers dislocated a little, it can cause the cushion buffers to get completely dismounted.

14

In case there is a bouncing effect after installing the cushion buffer

As a positive feedback, it means the cushion buffer is properly functioning and performing. As the elasticity of the urethane cushion buffer improves the elasticity of the vehicle's shock absorber, some users who are sensitive to the vehicle's leaning phenomenon and rolling (a term to indicate the elasticity of vehicle's shock absorber) may feel a little unfamiliar. Yet, the installed cushion buffer will be positioned completely in a day or so (maintaining the same functionality) and let the user get used to the new effect without much hindrance to the use of the cushion buffer.

15

Reason to fasten the cushion buffer with its cable tie after the installation

In order to prevent the cushion buffer from getting dismounted while the vehicle is hoisted by a lift or mishandled by a mechanic, it should be fastened with its cable tie (it is recommended that only type K, S, A, and B be fastened with cable tie). If the installation is properly completed, the installed cushion buffer will not get dismounted without its cable tie while you are driving the vehicle. Thus, the cushion buffer is to be fastened in order to prevent it from getting dismounted while the vehicle is hoisted by a lift or mishandled by a mechanic, not while the vehicle is being driven.

16

In case the size of coil spring is different from one on the cushion buffer selection chart

A cushion buffer may not fit while being installed even if you have purchased it for the year and model of your vehicle indicated on the chart. It is because some modifications have been made to the vehicle's coil spring in the automotive manufacturing plant, or the vehicle's coil spring has been changed by the user. In such case, we exchange it with a correct size cushion buffer with no charge, so please contact the reseller or our company.